A play on words becomes a play on shapes. Sometimes art starts with an image first, sometimes the words twist around until the physical form takes shape.

Inspired by a trip to Crested Butte, Colorado, this tiny tableau is titled, “Grapes of Raft.”

Like a twisting, rolling, unpredictable river, the rapids in “Grapes of Raft” turned over and over in my mind until I knew there was a snow globe to be made. The rapids were sculpted first in clay, which was used to make a mold for clear resin with a hefty dose of iridescent shavings to catch the light. A tiny metal raft carried green glass grapes, inexplicably holding tinier brass paddles.

One of a kind snow globe (sparkle globe) with shimmering iridescent silver dust and glitter when shaken. Hand-painted acrylic base in shades of pewter, silver and gold, finished with two bunches of brass grapes and an engraved silver plate stating “Grapes of Raft.” The interior sculpture is cast clear resin with added iridescent flecks to increase the reflective properties under liquid, brass raft and green glass grapes holding tiny hammered brass raft paddles.

Don’t raise your eyebrows at me in mock surprise! I was just as shocked as you were to see this “blast from the past” Disco Baby take shape. The pieces kept appearing mysteriously on the workbench. “Come on,” the voices chided. “Break all the rules. You can do it.”

It started with half an ornament that reminded me of a disco ball, and that reminded me of the early animation of Dancing Baby. Remember this little guy? Oogachaka …